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Riches par for course in tourney Golf column Sports Writer The 10th annual $200,000 Par 3 Championship is moving - sort of.
Instead of the Lakes and Woods nines at Grand View Lodge's The Pines, this year's two-person best-ball event, where all the holes are par 3s, will be played on the Woods and Marsh nines.
The event kicks off with a noon lunch and registration followed by a 1:30 p.m. shotgun Sunday. Eight team spots remain for a chance to win at least $5,000 on every tee shot.
Staples resident Mark Forsberg became the sixth person to record a hole-in-one. Last year he aced the 135-yard sixth hole of the Woods Course to raise the total money paid out just for holes-in-one to $35,000.
Forsberg joined Scott Shunter (2002), Fred Boos (2005), Scott Lindgren (2007), John Grudnowski (2007) and Paul Sandelin (2007) with holes in one.
"When we started this we had no idea that many people would be successful," said Eric Peterson, director of golf at Grand View Lodge. "Plus, the year we had three aces just destroyed the law of averages. I guess we just have a lot of above-average golfers in the Brainerd lakes area."
Along with the hole-in-one prize money, a total of $1,500 is awarded to the top 10 low gross teams. Last year A.J. Kluever-Steve Severson shot a 5-under 49 for first place.
The event, cosponsored by Grand View, Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Publishing and Printing, has raised close to $45,000 for the Lakes Area Food Shelf and the Newspapers in Education program.
"To me it is the most unique golf tournament in the area," said Peterson. "You don't get a chance to play 18 par 3s and you never get a chance to have 18 shots at a minimum of $5,000. It really is unique.
"Plus, the pace of play is fabulous. The group gets around in approximately 3 hours."
While $5,000 is the minimum, a number of holes are worth $10,000, one $25,000 and another is worth a car.
For more information, or to secure one of the last spots, call the Pines pro shop at (218) 963-0001 or 888-437-4637. Cost for the event is $200 per team.
Best golf holes update
Eight courses remain to be played until the Brainerd Dispatch golf panel decides which holes make up the best 18 resort and 18 non-resort holes in the lakes area.
I've received numerous e-mails from readers who have given their suggestions, but I would like to hear from more people as to which hole or holes they think belong on the list.
During this golf marathon of the last two weeks one thing is clear. The rain has been kind as every course is in fantastic shape and there are way too many quality courses in our area for every playing ability.
jeremy millsop, sports writer, may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch. com or at 855-5856.
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